Can the 4500 operate with the optics removed?

Jeremy,

Yes. The DMD will have to be removed from the light engine, and remain on the flex cable. There is a socket on the flex cable which the DLP4500FQE DMD plugs into. The DMD may be glued into the light engine, and will have to be carefully removed.

See this thread for a take apart of the iView light engine which comes on the DLP LightCrafter 4500:

http://e2e.ti.com/support/dlp__mems_micro-electro-mechanical_systems/f/924/p/278008/1041499.aspx

There are also LED strobe signals provided on the LCr 4500 board which are intended for use with external LED drivers. See the schematic http://www.ti.com/lit/ml/tidr157/tidr157.pdf

Yes. it will work with Fan and LED cables removed.

Regards,

Sanjeev

Jeremy,

The buzzing is probably due to the LED drivers operating with no load. Disable the LED drivers by placing a jumper on J30. Refer to the LightCrafter 4500 User's Guide for a picture under the DLP LightCrafter 4500 Jumpers section.

best regards,
Pedro